Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! We are ready for the fun to begin . Here's wishing you a memory filled day!


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Juilfs Jolly Jaunt!

Juilfs---well there is really no definition for this! just one of us! I guess!
Jolly---Happy;Cheerful---which we were unless we needed a diaper change, food, or a DP(grandpa)
Jaunt--a short excursion for pleasure.

When our kids were young we always enjoyed an evening in Coralville looking at the lights and luminaries followed by supper. We have fond memories of those times, so last year we decided to do the same with the kids and grandkids. This meant we had to rent a large van, which we did? We had a great time, but the lights weren't what they used to be.

Yesterday, in the large van, we met Trilby and two boys and Tasha and girls, then headed to meet Trina, Tanner, and boys. After getting situated and plugged in we headed east to Travis and Kerry's.

























Colby just turned two, so our first order of business was celebrating with him!





Then they played in the snow....

















And took naps....






Then we filled our cups with hot chocolate, put on our Christmas hats, and loaded up the van again...











And went to Clinton to see the Symphony of Lights....











We oohed and ahhed while we munched on cookies, and drove through twice at a very slow rate of speed. It was a fantastic display!

Next up was feeding the hungry bears......









And a good time was had by all......


Next year we hope to get everyone to join us, but we may have to find a bus!

It's all about making memories!

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Location:Ginkgo Ave,Wellman,United States

A Fall Finish

(Edit...Loops not lops. my iPad won't let me scroll down to fix it!)

I have been sewing, sewing, sewing, but most I can't show right now. I rarely get to make something for myself, but I did manage to make a fall quilt.



The fabric is Fall Phenomenal Fall and Awesome by Sandy Gervais for Moda.


Sandy is one of my favorite fabric designers, and she is an Iowan! Of course she sees these colors in Iowa in the fall.


I tried some new quilting, since it is mine if I screw it up a lot, oh well. I did lops and leaves.


You can see some of the leaves here.


And here. Some are better than others, but overall I am very happy with it! I hated to put it away, but it is time for Christmas decorating.

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Five Hour Beef Stew

I am posting this recipe again because People keep asking for it. Soon, it will be winter and there is nothing better than a hot bowl of stew with some cornbread muffins on a cold winter day---YUM!

Five Hour Beef Stew
1 1/2 lbs. stew meat
5 medium potatoes, cut-up
2 c. carrots-cut up
1 c. onion
1 c. celery
2 (14 1/2oz.) can stewed tomatoes
2 T quick cooking tapioca
1 T sugar
1/2 t salt
1/8 t pepper

Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Mix gently. Tun into a greased 3 qt. casserole, cover and bake at 275 for 5 hours. Serves 6 (I have used pork because that's what we have. When I did that I also added a beef gravy packet. You couldn't tell it wasn't beef!)





This summer I wanted to send some food to a family, so I mixed this all up, did not precook, but packed it into quart jars and canned it. Word is that it was great!
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A Summer Day Trip

This summer Trilby and I took her boys on a day trip to Des Moines. We started at the State Historical Museum.



They were impressed with the big cannon and the war artifacts.



Nate especially liked the buffalo and hoped Grandpa would shot one someday!


The boys being "goofy"!


Next stop......Iowa Hall of Pride.
Nate tried to b eat his mom in Let's Dance.


Payton really isn't quarterback material!



Cael makes his big play on the screen


And Nate was thrilled to drive the Jon Deere simulator.


Next stop....Bass Pro.
The boys try their hand at shooting.


Final stop.....Jethro's BBQ in Altoona for some scrumptious food.


And I think a good time was had by all! Next year we may add three more to our little outing as I think the next group will be old enough by then. Yippee!



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Another Sleeping Bag for a Grandson

Chance turned four in August, and it was his turn for a sleeping bag. Grayson got his last February....



Clara got hers in June.....


Chance used his when he spent the night with us when we were camping.






His has a hunting theme.


And it rolls up nice and tight...


You can find the pattern at Moda Bakeshop.

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We had a great crop of apples this year. Unfortunately our best tree was also our oldest, and it blew down in a windstorm. It produced this year, but it will not be with us next year. It made the best applesauce,

We put up about 40 pints of applesauce. The cinnamon made with red hots is the grandkids favorite.


We also made some with regular cinnamon.


And of course, unsweetened for baking.


We made a ton of apple pie filling too! It is great for apple pie, apple crisp, apple bars, and apple cake.


And just for my niece, Chansee, here is the apple pie filling recipe:

7 lbs. apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

Mix the following:
4 1/2 cups sugar
1c cornstarch
2 t cinnamon
10c water
Cook until thick stirring frequently.

Pack apples into clean hot jars, cover with sugar mixture to within 1/2" of top, get air bubbles out, seal with hot lids and rings.

Process in a water bath for 20 min.

Lots of apples headed south to Texas for you in the morning, Chansee!!


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Life!

Long time, no blog! With the start of school came a new job in a new building. It was a change I applied for and happily received, but it also came with:
1. a once a week college class
2. homework
3. learning a new routine
4. learning the names of MANY new kids
5. teaching students in K-4 (We have 5th grade, but none of them are on my roster.). That means all new lessons!
Also, the apple trees have been full, and the tomatoes keep coming despite no rain! So far I've put up 32 pints of applesauce, 15 jars of pepper jelly, 54 quarts of apple pie filling, 22 quarts of salsa and 8 quarts of tomatoes. I'll be doing more apple pie filling, spiced apples, and pasta sauce this week.

So there's my list of excuses for not blogging lately!

I did do a little sewing over the summer, but contrary to the way I usually am I have some unfinished projects. Here's what was on my design board a couple of weeks ago.









I hope to get some sewing in again one of these days.

Stay tuned for finished photos within the next couple of months!

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Around My Yard

Not so long ago I took a little photo tour around some of my yard.






We have two of these rose bushes by the porch and they are gorgeous!





Love my sweet potato vine.
























You may notice the water hose in several photos which is because we need rain soooooo badly that things have to be watered every night! Our grass is turning brown and this week's heat hasn't helped.

Love my plants!

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